Pokémon Go to Test Battle Skills in Sparring Partners Raid Day

Mark your calendars—Sparring Partners Raid Day is set to arrive in Pokémon GO on April 13th, bringing with it a flurry of Fighting-type action and exclusive Mega Raid opportunities. While you're waiting for Tinkatink to make its grand entrance, get ready to test your skills against some of the fiercest brawlers in the Pokémon world.

The event runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time, giving Trainers just three hours to jump into raids, battle powerful opponents, and chase down Shiny encounters. It’s a limited-time window, so be sure to plan ahead and bring your strongest teams.

Mega Heracross Enters the Arena

Kicking off the action is Mega Heracross, which will appear in Mega Raids during the event. Known for its raw power and impressive bulk, this Bug/Fighting-type is a must-catch for any serious Trainer. But that's not all—Hariyama and Scraggy will also be making appearances in standard Raids, both with increased Shiny encounter rates.

New Charged Attack: Upper Hand

In addition to the raid battles, a brand-new Charged Attack—Upper Hand—is being introduced. This move delivers 70 power in Trainer Battles and has the added effect of potentially lowering your opponent’s Defense. In Raids and Gyms, it strikes with a clean 50 power, making it a versatile and strategic option for competitive play.

Event Bonuses and Rewards

During the event, Trainers can earn up to six free Raid Passes simply by spinning Gym Photo Discs. And for one weekend only, the limit on Remote Raid Passes increases to 20—giving you more chances than ever to participate in distant Raids without leaving your home.

For those looking to maximize their rewards, a $4.99 ticket unlocks additional bonuses including:

• Extra Raid Passes
• Bonus XP
• Increased Stardust gains
• Higher drop rate for Rare Candy XL

You can also take advantage of active Pokémon GO redeem codes to score even more in-game items and boosts. [ttpp]

Free Timed Research & Bonus Offerings

A special set of Timed Research tasks will be available during the event. Complete them before time runs out to earn Stardust, Raid Battle boosts, and other helpful items. There's also a bonus bundle in the Pokémon GO Web Store featuring a Premium Battle Pass and exclusive perks.